Description
Herpes Virus Entry Mediator (HVEM) is a transmembrane protein that is the receptor for TNFSF14 (also known as LIGHT) and is therefore referred to asTNFRSF14. HVEM is expressed broadly on immune cells such as T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes. The interaction of 3 molecules of LIGHT with three molecules of HVEM forms a hexameric complex that leads to the recruitment and retention of effector cells and activates NK cells to produce large amounts of IFN-γ and GM-CSF. In addition to the canonical binding partner LIGHT, HVEM can also bind to the inhibitory signaling protein, B- and T- lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), which suppresses immune responses. Therefore, the HVEM network plays an important role in regulating immunity and the behavior of lymphocytes.